Breathing For Two - Asthma and Pregnancy

Asthma is one of the most prevalent diseases in our society today. Hundreds of thousands of women suffer from this chronic lung ailment. So what happens when one of them becomes pregnant?

The answer is surprisingly simple: nothing extraordinary. Asthmatic women are perfectly capable of having healthy pregnancies and normal labor and delivery. As with any illness in the mother, the key is careful monitoring and control. The bad news is that asthma can cause serious problems for the baby as it can limit the oxygen supply. The mother is quite literally breathing for two, so it is doubly important that her lungs remain functioning at top capacity. The good news is that this is not hard to accomplish.

Simply staying away from allergens that might trigger attacks is the most important step for an asthmatic mother. If she does experience an attack, most asthma medications are safe to take during pregnancy and even delivery. In fact, there can be more harm to the baby from the effects of an attack than from most medications.

As always, the asthmatic mother should carefully monitor her asthma during pregnancy. Peak flow tests should be a part of every regular checkup and your doctor should be kept informed of any and all symptoms that you experience. The best way to avoid an attack is to stay one step ahead, never more so than during pregnancy.

Aside from avoiding allergens, expectant mothers should also be aware of several factors which can affect them and their babies. Exercise is recommended for all pregnant women, but it can be a trigger for some asthmatics. Asthmatic mothers need not avoid exercise, but they should only proceed under the supervision of their doctor. Smoke can not only be a trigger for asthmatics, but secondhand smoke is proven to have adverse effects on unborn babies, including increasing their risk for SIDS. Smoking can seriously reduce the flow of oxygen to the baby, so all women should avoid it during pregnancy, especially those with asthma. There are some medications, such as antihistamines and aspirin, which should be avoided during pregnancy. Consult with your doctor before taking anything.

As you near delivery, you and your baby will both need to be carefully monitored to ensure adequate oxygen flow. A normal delivery is perfectly possible; all you need to do is continue taking your regular asthma medicine throughout the process. And don’t hesitate to ask for pain medications - most of these actually help reduce the possibility of bronchospasm.

By now, you should have already learned the importance of keeping your asthma under control. As long as you continue to stay on top of the situation during your pregnancy, breathing for two should be a breeze.